Bhatiara
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| India | |
| Languages | |
| • Urdu • Hindi | |
| Religion | |
•  Islam 100% • |
|
| Related ethnic groups | |
| • Pashtun • Bisati • Nanbai • Bisati • Shaikh |
The Bhatiara are a Pathan community, found in North India. They are also known as Shaikh Farooqi.
The Bhatiara are the traditional innkeepers of North India. They enjoyed royal patronage in running inns all along the trade routes in India. The community trace their descent from Salim Shah, a brother the Sher Shah Suri, the last Afghan ruler of North India. After the overthrow of the Suri dynasty, members of the royal family were forced into the lowly occupation of inn-keeping by the vengeful Mughals. Although claiming to be Pathan, their clans reveal a heterogeneous origin. Their main clans are the Bahlim, Bhil, Chauhan, Chriyamar, Jalkhatri, Madariya, Muderi, Sidiqui, Nanbai, Shirazi and Sulaimani.
The Bhatiara are no longer involved in their traditional occupation of inn-keeping. Most are now wage labourers, or involved in driving ekkas, a traditional horse-drawn cart. Many are also sharecroppers, renting out land from other communities. This decline in their occupation has also led the disappearance of their caste council. The community were historically Sunni of the Barelvi disposition, but many now belong to the Deobandi or Ahle Hadith sects.
The community is dispersed all along the Grand Trunk Road, but are concentrated in Allahabad and Fatehpur. The community speaks Awadhi, but many are shifting to Urdu. They perceive themselves to be of Shaikh status, but this claim is not accepted by other recognized Shaikh groups, such as the Muslim Kayasths and Milkis. A significant minority of Bhatiaras have also emigrated to Pakistan, where they form an important element in the Muhajir community.
...
Wikipedia